Financial method and apparatus

ABSTRACT

An apparatus, method, and/or system for teaching the value of monetary coins including first, second, third, and fourth bases, each having a plurality of recesses, and first, second, third and fourth inserts, each having at least one protrusion for inserting into a corresponding recess of one or more of the first, second, third, and fourth bases. The first, second, third, and fourth bases may be provided in one kit or as part of one overall apparatus, wherein the first base has only one hundred recesses, the second base has only twenty-five recesses, the third base has only ten recesses, and the fourth base has only five recesses. The first, second, third, and fourth inserts may be configured to cover twenty-five, ten, five, and one recesses, respectively to represent twenty five cents, ten cents, five cents, and one cent of a U.S. dollar.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to financial methods and apparatuses foreducational games.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are various financial games known in the art. There are variousknown ways of teaching children the monetary values of coins. In anarticle titled “Teaching the Values of Coins” in “Teaching ChildrenMathematics”, Copyright 1999, Randell Drum, The National Council ofTeachers of Mathematics, Inc., www.nctm.org., the technique of placingone coin model (such as a nickel model) over another coin model (such asa model for cents) is disclosed. However, the coin models disclosed aretwo dimensional flat diagrams on a paper, and have a tendency to slidewith respect to each other.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In at least one embodiment, an apparatus, method, and/or system forteaching the value of monetary coins is provided.

In at least one embodiment, an apparatus is provided comprising: a firstbase having a plurality of recesses; and a first insert having a firstportion and a second portion; wherein the first portion of the firstinsert is configured to be inserted into a first recess of the pluralityof recesses of the first base; and wherein while the first portion ofthe first insert is inserted into the first recess of the first base,the second portion of the first insert is configured to cover a firstsection of the first base.

The plurality of recesses of the first base may include only one hundredrecesses, wherein each of the plurality of recesses is substantially thesame size as each of the other recesses of the plurality of recesses ofthe first base. The first portion of the first insert may be configuredto be inserted into any one of the one hundred recesses.

In at least one embodiment, the plurality of recesses may include onlytwenty-five recesses, wherein each of the plurality of recesses issubstantially the same size as each of the other recesses of theplurality of recesses; and wherein the first portion of the first insertis configured to be inserted into any one of the twenty-five recesses.

In at least one embodiment, the plurality of recesses of the first basemay include only ten recesses, wherein each of the plurality of recessesis substantially the same size as each of the other recesses of theplurality of recesses; and wherein the first portion of the first insertis configured to be inserted into any one of the ten recesses.

In at least one embodiment, the plurality of recesses of the first basemay include only five recesses, wherein each of the plurality ofrecesses is substantially the same size as each of the other recesses ofthe plurality of recesses; and wherein the first portion of the firstinsert is configured to be inserted into any one of the five recesses.

Alternatively, first, second, third, and fourth bases may be provided inone kit or as part of one overall apparatus, wherein the first base hasonly one hundred recesses, the second base has only twenty-fiverecesses, the third base has only ten recesses, and the fourth base hasonly five recesses.

In the one hundred recess example for the first base, the plurality ofrecesses may be arranged in a ten by ten square matrix to represent onehundred cents in a United States dollar.

The first section of the first base may include one recess of theplurality of recesses, such that the second portion of the first insertis configured to cover one recess of the first base.

The first section of the first base may include five recesses of theplurality of recesses, such that the second portion of the first insertis configured to cover five recesses of the first base.

The first section of the first base may include ten recesses of theplurality of recesses, such that the second portion of the first insertis configured to cover ten recesses of the first base.

The first section of the first base may include twenty-five recesses ofthe plurality of recesses, such that the second portion of the firstinsert is configured to cover twenty-five recesses of the first base.

In at least one embodiment, a second insert; a third insert; and afourth insert may be provided with the first insert as part of anoverall apparatus or kit; wherein each of the second, third, and fourthbases include a plurality of recesses; wherein the first, second, third,and fourth bases have a different number of recesses; wherein the secondinsert has one or more protrusions which are configured to be insertedinto corresponding recesses of each of the first, second, third, andfourth bases; wherein the third insert has one or more protrusions whichare configured to be inserted into corresponding recesses of each of thefirst, second, third, and fourth bases; and wherein the fourth inserthas one or more protrusions which are configured to be inserted intocorresponding recesses of each of the first, second, third, and fourthbases.

In at least one embodiment, each of the first, second, third, and fourthinserts has indicia shown thereon which indicate a particular U.S. coinrepresented, such that each of the first, second, third, and fourthinserts indicates a different monetary amount for each of the other ofthe first, second, third, and fourth inserts.

In at least one embodiment, a method is provided which may includeinserting a first portion of a first insert into a first recess of aplurality of recesses of a first base, such that a second portion of thefirst insert covers one or more recesses of the plurality of recesses ofthe first base; and wherein the first insert has indicia indicating aparticular U.S. coin and/or a monetary amount.

The method may further include inserting a first portion of a secondinsert into a second recess of the plurality of recesses of the firstbase, while the first portion of the first insert is inserted in thefirst recess of the first base, such that a second portion of the secondinsert covers one or more recesses of the plurality of recesses of thefirst base; and wherein the second insert has indicia indicating aparticular U.S. coin and/or monetary amount which is different from theparticular U.S. coin and/or monetary amount indicated by the firstinsert.

The method may further include inserting a first portion of a thirdinsert into a third recess of the plurality of recesses of the firstbase, while the first portion of the first insert is inserted in thefirst recess of the first base, and while the first portion of thesecond insert is inserted in the second recess of the first base, suchthat a second portion of the third insert covers one or more recesses ofthe plurality of recesses of the first base; and wherein the thirdinsert has indicia indicating a U.S. coin and/or monetary amount whichis different from the U.S. coins and/or monetary amounts indicated bythe first and the second inserts.

The method may further include inserting a first portion of a fourthinsert into a fourth recess of the plurality of recesses of the firstbase, while the first portion of the first insert is inserted in thefirst recess of the first base, while the first portion of the secondinsert is inserted in the second recess of the first base, while thefirst portion of the third insert is inserted in the third recess of thefirst base, such that a second portion of the fourth insert covers oneor more recesses of the plurality of recesses of the first base; andwherein the fourth insert has indicia indicating a U.S. coin and/ormonetary amount which is different from the U.S. coin and/or monetaryamounts indicated by the first, second, and the third inserts.

The method may further include removing the first portion of the firstinsert from the first recess of the first base; and inserting the firstportion of the first insert into a first recess of a plurality ofrecesses of a second base, such that the second portion of the firstinsert covers one or more recesses of the plurality of recesses of thesecond base; and wherein the second base has a different number ofrecesses from the first base.

The method may further include removing the first portion of the firstinsert from the first recess of the second base; and inserting the firstportion of the first insert into a first recess of a plurality ofrecesses of a third base, such that the second portion of the firstinsert covers one or more recesses of the plurality of recesses of thethird base; and wherein the third base has a different number ofrecesses from the first base and the second base.

The method may further include removing the first portion of the firstinsert from the first recess of the third base; and inserting the firstportion of the first insert into a first recess of a plurality ofrecesses of a fourth base, such that the second portion of the firstinsert covers one or more recesses of the plurality of recesses of thefourth base; and wherein the fourth base has a different number ofrecesses from the first base, the second base, and the third base.

In at least one embodiment, the first base only has one hundredrecesses; the second base only has twenty-five recesses; the third baseonly has ten recesses; and the fourth base only has five recesses.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A shows a top, front, and right perspective view of a first basein accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1B shows a bottom, rear, and left perspective view of the firstbase of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2A shows a top, front, and right perspective view of a second basein accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2B shows a bottom, rear, and left perspective view of the secondbase of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3A shows a top, front, and right perspective view of a third basein accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3B shows a bottom, rear, and left perspective view of the thirdbase of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4A shows a top, front, and right perspective view of a fourth basein accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4B shows a bottom, rear, and left perspective view of the fourthbase of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5A shows a bottom, rear, and right perspective view of a firstinsert in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5B shows a top, front, and left perspective view of the firstinsert of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 6A shows a bottom, rear, and right perspective view of a secondinsert in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6B shows a top, front, and left perspective view of the secondinsert of FIG. 6A;

FIG. 7A shows a bottom, rear, and right perspective view of a thirdinsert in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7B shows a top, front, and left perspective view of the thirdinsert of FIG. 7A;

FIG. 8A shows a bottom, rear, and right perspective view of a fourthinsert in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8B shows a top, front, and left perspective view of the fourthinsert of FIG. 8A;

FIG. 9 shows a top, front, and right perspective view of the fourthinsert of FIG. 8A and the first base of FIG. 1A, with protrusions of thefourth insert, inserted into corresponding recesses or indentations ofthe first base of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 10 shows a top, front, and right perspective view of the secondinsert of FIG. 6A, the fourth insert of FIG. 8A, and the first base ofFIG. 1A, with a protrusion of the second insert, inserted into acorresponding recess or indentation of the first base of FIG. 1A, andwith protrusions of the fourth insert of FIG. 8A inserted intocorresponding recesses or indentations of the first base of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 11 shows a top, front, and right perspective view of the secondinsert of FIG. 6A, the third insert of FIG. 7A, the fourth insert ofFIG. 8A, and the first base of FIG. 1A, with a protrusion of the secondinsert, inserted into a corresponding recess or indentation of the firstbase of FIG. 1A, with protrusions of the fourth insert of FIG. 8Ainserted into corresponding recesses or indentations of the first baseof FIG. 1A; and with protrusions of the third insert of FIG. 7A insertedinto corresponding recesses or indentations of the first base of FIG.1A; and

FIG. 12 shows a top, front, and right perspective view of the secondinsert of FIG. 6A, the third insert of FIG. 7A, the fourth insert ofFIG. 8A, the first insert of FIG. 5A, and the base of FIG. 1A, with aprotrusion of the second insert, inserted into a corresponding recess orindentation of the first base of FIG. 1A, with protrusions of the fourthinsert of FIG. 8A inserted into corresponding recesses or indentationsof the first base of FIG. 1A, with protrusions of the third insert ofFIG. 7A inserted into corresponding recesses or indentations of thefirst base of FIG. 1A, and with a protrusion of the first insert of FIG.5A inserted into a corresponding recess or indentation of the first baseof FIG. 1A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A shows a top, front, and right perspective view of a first base 1in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1B showsa bottom, rear, and left perspective view of the first base 1 of FIG.1A.

The first base 1 may have a solid body 2, in which are located aplurality of indentations 4, including indentation 4 a shown in FIG. 1A.In at least one embodiment, the first base 1 may have one hundredindentations 4, in a matrix of ten rows by ten columns, whichcorresponds to one hundred cents in a U.S. dollar. The solid body 2 mayhave an overall square perimeter shape or outline. Each of theindentations or recesses 4 may be square shaped and each may have thesame volume, size, and/or area.

The top surface of the first base 1, as shown in FIG. 1A, may include agrid pattern of lines, with eleven rows of lines and eleven columns oflines, which form a grid of rectangular spaces, wherein each indentationof indentations 4 is centered in a square grid section, bordered on foursides of each square section by lines.

FIG. 2A shows a top, front, and right perspective view of a second base10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2Bshows a bottom, rear, and left perspective view of the second base 10 ofFIG. 2A

The second base 10 may have a solid body 12, in which are located aplurality of indentations or recesses 14 including recess 14 a. In atleast one embodiment, the second base 10 may have twenty-fiveindentations 14, where there are three columns, with two columns havingten recesses each, and one column having five recesses, for a total oftwenty-five indentations or recesses, which corresponds twenty-fivecents in a U.S. quarter. The solid body 12 may be described as comprisedof first and second rectangular shapes integrated together, with thefirst rectangular shape having a three by five matrix of recesses ofrecesses 14 and the second rectangular shape having a two by five matrixof recesses 14. Each of the indentations or recesses 14 may be squareshaped and each may have the same volume, size, and/or area, and eachmay have the same volume, size, and/or area as each of the recesses 4 ofthe first base 1.

The top surface of the second base 10, as shown in FIG. 2A, may includea grid pattern of lines, with four columns of lines and six rows oflines in the wider rectangular section, and three columns of lines andsix rows of lines (including the line which is used in both the widerrectangular section and the narrower rectangular section) eleven columnsof lines, which form grids of rectangular spaces, wherein eachindentation of indentations 14 is centered in a square grid section,bordered on four sides of each square section by lines.

FIG. 3A shows a top, front, and right perspective view of a third base20 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3Bshows a bottom, rear, and left perspective view of the third base 20 ofFIG. 3A.

The third base 20 may have a solid body 22, in which are located aplurality of indentations or recesses 24 including recess 24 a. In atleast one embodiment, the third base 20 may have ten indentations 24,where there is one column of ten recesses, which corresponds to tencents in a U.S. dime. The solid body 22 may be described as having arectangular and/or elongated outer shape. Each of the indentations orrecesses 24 may be square shaped and each may have the same volume,size, and/or area, and each may have the same volume, size, and/or areaas each of the recesses 4 of the first base 1 and each of the recesses14 of the second base 10.

The top surface of the third base 20 has eleven rows of lines and twocolumns of lines forming a ten by one grid of square spaces, where eachof the recesses 24 is centered in a square space of the ten by one gridof square spaces.

FIG. 4A shows a top, front, and right perspective view of a fourth base30 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4Bshows a bottom, rear, and left perspective view of the fourth base 30 ofFIG. 4A.

The fourth base 30 may have a solid body 32, in which are located aplurality of indentations or recesses 34 including recess 34 a. In atleast one embodiment, the third base 30 may have five indentations 34,where there is one column of five recesses, which corresponds to fivecents in a U.S. nickel. The solid body 32 may be described as having arectangular and/or elongated outer shape. Each of the indentations orrecesses 34 may be square shaped and each may have the same volume,size, and/or area, and each may have the same volume, size, and/or areaas each of the recesses 4 of the first base 1, each of the recesses 14of the second base 10, and each of the recesses 24 of the third base 20.

The top surface of the fourth base 30 has six rows of lines and twocolumns of lines forming a five by one grid of square spaces, where eachof the recesses 34 is centered in a square space of the five by one gridof square spaces.

FIG. 5A shows a bottom, rear, and right perspective view of a firstinsert or first device 40 in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. FIG. 5B shows a top, front, and left perspective viewof the first insert 40 of FIG. 5A.

The first insert 40 may be comprised of a solid cube and/or rectangularprism or block or first portion 42 and a solid cube and/or rectangularprism or block or second portion 44, which are integrated and/orattached to one another. The second portion 44 may also be referred toas a protrusion and/or as protruding from the first portion 42.

In FIG. 5B, the top surface of the first portion 42 of the first insert40 has an indication, graphic, or symbol 41, such as in FIG. 5B the headof a United States (U.S.) penny. The indication or symbol may be or maybe replaced by the indication, graphic, or symbol to indicate a value of“1” or “1 cent”.

In FIG. 5B there is a one by one grid shown, denoting a quantity and/orvalue of one.

FIG. 6A shows a bottom, rear, and right perspective view of a secondinsert or second device 50 in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. FIG. 6B shows a top, front, and left perspective viewof the second insert 50 of FIG. 6A.

The second insert 50 may be comprised of a solid cube and/or rectangularprism or block or first portion 52 and a solid cube and/or rectangularprism or block or second portion 54, which are integrated and/orattached to one another. The second portion 54 may also be referred toas a protrusion and/or as protruding from the first portion 52.

In FIG. 6B, the top surface of the first portion 52 of the second insert50 has an indication, graphic, or symbol 51, such as in FIG. 6B, thehead of a U.S. nickel. The indication or symbol may be or may bereplaced by an indication, graphic, or symbol to indicate a value of “5”or “5 cents”.

In FIG. 6B, there is a five by one grid of square spaces, with eachspace being the same size, on the top surface of the second insert 50,denoting a quantity and/or value of five.

FIG. 7A shows a bottom, rear, and right perspective view of a thirdinsert 60 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 7B shows a top, front, and left perspective view of the thirdinsert 60 of FIG. 7A.

The third insert 60 may be comprised of a solid cube and/or rectangularprism or block or first portion 62 and solid cubes and/or rectangularprisms or blocks or second and third portions 64 and 66, respectively,which are integrated and/or attached to the first portion 62. The secondand third portions, 64 and 66, respectively, may also be referred to asprotrusions and/or as protruding from the first portion 62.

In FIG. 7B, the top surface of the first portion 62 of the third insert60 has an indication, graphic, or symbol 61, such as in FIG. 7B, thehead of a U.S. dime. The indication or symbol may be or may be replacedby an indication, graphic, or symbol to indicate a value of “10” or “10cents”.

In FIG. 7B, there is a ten by one grid of square spaces, with each spacebeing the same size, on the top surface of the third insert 60, denotinga quantity and/or value of ten.

FIG. 8A shows a bottom, rear, and right perspective view of a fourthinsert 70 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 8B shows a top, front, and left perspective view of the fourthinsert 70 of FIG. 8A.

The fourth insert 70 may be described as being comprised two solid cubesand/or rectangular prisms or blocks integrated together, i.e. one beingwider than the other to make up solid portion 72. The fourth insert 70further includes solid cubes and/or rectangular prisms or blocks orsecond, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh portions 74, 75, 76,77, 78, and 79, respectively, which are integrated and/or attached tothe first portion 72. The second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth andseventh portions, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, and 79, respectively, may also bereferred to as protrusions and/or as protruding from the first portion72.

In FIG. 8B, the top surface of the first portion 72 of the fourth insert70 has an indication, graphic, or symbol 71, such as in FIG. 8B, thehead of a U.S. quarter coin. The indication or symbol may be or may bereplaced by an indication, graphic, or symbol to indicate a value of“25” or “25 cents”.

In FIG. 8B, there is a first rectangular grid of three by five squarespaces and a second rectangular grid of two by ten square spaces, witheach space being the same size, on the top surface of the fourth insert70, denoting a quantity and/or value of twenty-five.

FIG. 9 shows a top, front, and right perspective view of the fourthinsert 70 of FIG. 8A and the first base 1 of FIG. 1A, with protrusions74, 75, 76, 77, 78, and 79 (not shown) of the fourth insert 70, insertedinto corresponding recesses or indentations of indentations 4 of thefirst base 1 of FIG. 1A. The fourth insert 70 is shown having a topsurface grid of two column by ten rows, and one column by five rows, fora total of twenty-five rectangular top surface spaces. The fourth insert70 also has a symbol or indicia of a U.S. quarter coin, which indicatesthat it represents a U.S. quarter. The symbol, graphic, or indicia maybe or may be replaced by the image of “25” within a circle. In FIG. 9,twenty-five of the one hundred indentations 4 of the base 1 are covered,overlapped, or substantially covered or overlapped by the fourth insert70, and seventy-five of the one hundred indentations 4 of the base 1 arenot covered by the fourth insert 70. The protrusions 74, 75, 76, 77, 78,and 79 (not shown in FIG. 9), are located inside of correspondingindentations of indentations 4 so that the fourth insert 70 does notslide or does not slide substantially parallel to the base 1 or body 2,because the protrusions 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, and 79 do not slide or do noslide substantially in their respective recesses. In addition, themeshing of the rectangular block protrusions 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, and 79with the corresponding rectangular indentations is preferred so that thefourth insert 70 will not rotate with respect to the first base 1, inFIG. 9. The protrusions 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, and 79 should be configuredto mesh closely with the respective indentations 4, i.e. each of theprotrusions 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, and 79 should have a size, area and/orvolume which is about the same as or slightly less than the size, area,or volume of each of the indentations 4. The protrusions 74, 75, 76, 77,78, and 79 are also located in appropriate indentations of indentations4 so that the fourth insert 70 covers two columns×ten rows and a thirdcolumn by five rows for a total of twenty-five spaces.

FIG. 10 shows a top, front, and right perspective view of the secondinsert 50 of FIG. 6A, the fourth insert 70 of FIG. 8A, and the firstbase 1 of FIG. 1A, with a protrusion 54 (not shown in FIG. 10) of thesecond insert 50, inserted into a corresponding recess or indentation ofthe first base 1 of FIG. 1A, and with protrusions 74, 76, 78, and 79(not shown in FIG. 10) of the fourth insert 70 of FIG. 8A inserted intocorresponding recesses or indentations of the first base 1 of FIG. 1.The second insert 50 is shown having a top surface grid of one column byfive rows for a total of five rectangular top surface spaces, indicatinga value of five. The second insert 50 also has a symbol or indicia of aU.S. nickel coin, which indicates that it represents a U.S. nickel coin.The symbol or indicia may be or may be replaced by an image of “5”within a circle. In FIG. 10, five of the one hundred indentations 4 ofthe base 1 are covered, overlapped, or substantially covered oroverlapped by the second insert 50, twenty-five of the indentations ofindentations 4 are covered, overlapped, or substantially covered oroverlapped by the fourth insert 70; and seventy of the one hundredindentations 4 of the base 1 are not covered by either the fourth insert70 or the second insert 50. The protrusion 54 (not shown in FIG. 10) islocated inside of a corresponding indentation of indentations 4 so thatthe second insert 50 does not slide or does not slide substantiallyparallel to the base 1 or body 2, because the protrusion 54 does notslide or does not slide substantially in its respective recess ofrecesses 4. In addition, the meshing of the rectangular block protrusion54 with the corresponding rectangular indentation is preferred so thatthe second insert 50 will not rotate with respect to the first base 1,in FIG. 9. The protrusion 54 should be configured to mesh closely withthe respective indentation of indentations 4, i.e. each the protrusion54 should have a size, area and/or volume which is about the same as orslightly less than the size, area, or volume of each of the indentations4. FIG. 10 represents thirty cents or thirty spaces or indentations ofindentations 4 covered.

FIG. 11 shows a top, front, and right perspective view of the secondinsert 50 of FIG. 6A, the third insert 60 of FIG. 7A, the fourth insert70 of FIG. 8A, and the first base of FIG. 1A, with a protrusion 54 ofthe second insert 50, inserted into a corresponding recess orindentation of the first base 1 of FIG. 1A, with protrusions 74, 75, 76,77, 78, and 79 of the fourth insert 70 of FIG. 8 inserted intocorresponding recesses or indentations of the first base 1 of FIG. 1A;and with protrusions 64 and 66 of the third insert 60 of FIG. 7Ainserted into corresponding recesses or indentations of indentations 4of the first base 1 of FIG. 1A. The third insert 60 is shown having atop surface grid of one column by ten rows for a total of tenrectangular top surface spaces. The third insert 60 also has a symbol orindicia of a head of a U.S. dime coin, which indicates that itrepresents a U.S. dime. The symbol or indicia may be or may be replacedby the the image of “10” within a circle.

In FIG. 11, five of the one hundred indentations 4 of the base 1 arecovered, overlapped, or substantially covered or overlapped by thesecond insert 50, ten of the one hundred indentations 4 of the base 1are covered, overlapped, or substantially covered or overlapped by thethird insert 60, and twenty-five of the indentations of indentations 4are covered, overlapped, or substantially covered or overlapped by thefourth insert 70; and sixty of the one hundred indentations 4 of thebase 1 are not covered by either the fourth insert 70, the second insert50, or the third insert 60. The protrusions 64 and 66 (not shown in FIG.11) are located inside of corresponding indentations of indentations 4so that the third insert 60 does not slide or does not slidesubstantially parallel to the base 1 or body 2, because the protrusions64 and 66 do not slide or do not slide substantially in their respectiverecesses of recesses 4. In addition, the meshing of the rectangularblock protrusions 64 and 66 with the corresponding rectangularindentation is preferred so that the second insert 60 will not rotatewith respect to the first base 1, in FIG. 9. The protrusions 64 and 66should be configured to mesh closely with the respective indentations ofindentations 4, i.e. each the protrusions 64 should have a size, areaand/or volume which is about the same as or slightly less than the size,area, or volume of each of the indentations 4. FIG. 11 represents fortycents or forty spaces or indentations of indentations 4 covered.

FIG. 12 shows a top, front, and right perspective view of the secondinsert 50 of FIG. 6A, the third insert 60 of FIG. 7A, the fourth insert70 of FIG. 8A, the first insert 40 of FIG. 5A, and the first base 1 ofFIG. 1A, with a protrusion 52 of the second insert 50, inserted into acorresponding recess or indentation of the first base 1, withprotrusions 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, and 79 of the fourth insert 70 of FIG.8A inserted into corresponding recesses or indentations of the firstbase 1 of FIG. 1A, with protrusions 64 and 66 of the third insert 60 ofFIG. 7A inserted into corresponding recesses or indentations of thefirst base 1 of FIG. 1A, and with a protrusion 44 of the first insert 40of FIG. 5 inserted into a corresponding recess or indentation ofindentations 4 of the first base 1 of FIG. 1A.

The first insert 40 is shown having a top surface grid of one topsurface space. The first insert 40 also has a symbol or indicia of aU.S. penny coin head, which indicates that it represents a U.S. penny.The symbol or indicia may be or may be replaced by an image of a “1”within a circle. In FIG. 12, five of the one hundred indentations 4 ofthe base 1 are covered, overlapped, or substantially covered oroverlapped by the second insert 50, ten of the one hundred indentations4 of the base 1 are covered, overlapped, or substantially covered oroverlapped by the third insert 60, twenty-five of the indentations ofindentations 4 are covered, overlapped, or substantially covered oroverlapped by the fourth insert 70, one of the indentations ofindentations 4 is covered, overlapped, or substantially covered oroverlapped by the first insert 40; and fifty-nine of the one hundredindentations 4 of the base 1 are not covered by either the fourth insert70, the second insert 50, the third insert 60, or the first insert 40.The protrusion 44 (not shown in FIG. 12) are located inside ofcorresponding indentations of indentations 4 so that the first insert 40does not slide or does not slide substantially parallel to the base 1 orbody 2, because the protrusion 44 does not slide or does not slidesubstantially in its respective recesses of recesses 4. In addition, themeshing of the rectangular block protrusion 44 with the correspondingrectangular indentation is preferred so that the first insert 40 willnot rotate with respect to the first base 1, in FIG. 9. The protrusion44 should be configured to mesh closely with the respective indentationsof indentations 4, i.e. the protrusion 44 should have a size, areaand/or volume which is about the same as or slightly less than the size,area, or volume of each of the indentations 4. FIG. 12 representsforty-one cents or forty-one spaces or indentations of indentations 4covered.

In at least one embodiment, the second base 10 of FIGS. 2A-B may be usedinstead of the first base 1. For example, the protrusion 44 of the firstinsert 40 may be inserted into a recess of the recesses 14 of the secondbase 10 to cover the corresponding indentation of indentations 14, theprotrusion 54 of the second insert 50 may be inserted into a recess ofthe recesses 14 of the second base 10 to cover five indentations ofindentations 14 with second insert 50, and the protrusions 64 and 66 maybe inserted into corresponding recesses of the recesses 14 of secondbase 10 to cover ten indentations with the third insert 60, to therebyrepresent sixteen cents inside of the second base 10. Alternatively, forexample, the fourth insert 70 may have its protrusions inserted intocorresponding indentations of the second base 10, so that alltwenty-five indentations are covered by the twenty-five squares of thegrid pattern of the fourth insert 70 shown in FIG. 8B.

Similarly, or identically, the third base 20 may be used by insertingprotrusions of the third insert 60 to cover all ten recesses 24, orinstead by inserting a combination of protrusions of two second inserts50, or instead by inserting protrusions of one or more first inserts 40,to cover a corresponding number of recesses 24.

Similarly, or identically, the fourth base 30 may be used by insertingthe protrusion 54 of the second insert 50 to cause insert 50 to coverall five recesses 34, or instead by inserting protrusions of one or morefirst inserts 40, to cover a corresponding number of recesses 34.

In at least one embodiment, it is critical that each square space on thetop surfaces of first insert 40, the second insert 50, the third insert60 and the fourth insert 70 be the same or substantially the same sizeas each square space in the grid patterns on the top surface of thefirst base 1, the second base 10, the third base 20, and the fourth base30. In this manner, a square space of one or more inserts of inserts 40,50, 60, and 70 is used to cover a corresponding square space of one ormore bases of bases 1, 10, 20, and 30.

The inserts 40, 50, 60, 70, and bases 1, 10, 20, and 30 can be used tographically teach children and others the monetary value of differenttypes of coins.

Although the invention has been described by reference to particularillustrative embodiments thereof, many changes and modifications of theinvention may become apparent to those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is thereforeintended to include within this patent all such changes andmodifications as may reasonably and properly be included within thescope of the present invention's contribution to the art.

I claim:
 1. An apparatus comprising: a first base, a second base, athird base, and a fourth base, each having a plurality of recesses andeach having a different number of recesses from the other; a firstinsert, a second insert, a third insert, and a fourth insert, eachhaving a first portion and a second portion; wherein the first portionof each insert has one or more protrusions which are configured to beinserted into corresponding recesses of each of the first, second,third, and fourth bases; wherein the second portion of the first insertis configured to cover one recess of either the first base, the secondbase, the third base, or the fourth base, when the first portion of thefirst insert is inserted into one recess of the first base, the secondbase, the third base or the fourth base; wherein the second portion ofthe second insert is configured to cover five recesses of either thefirst base, the second base, the third base, or the fourth base, whenthe first portion of the second insert is inserted into at least one offive recesses of the first base, the second base, the third base, or thefourth base; wherein the second portion of the third insert isconfigured to cover ten recesses of either the second base, the thirdbase, or the fourth base, when the first portion of the third insert isinserted into at least one of ten recesses of the second base, the thirdbase, or the fourth base; wherein the second portion of the fourthinsert is configured to cover twenty-five recesses of either the thirdbase, or the fourth base, when the first portion of the fourth insert isinserted into at least one of twenty-five recesses of the third base orthe fourth base; wherein the first base has only five recesses; whereinthe second base has only ten recesses; wherein the third base has onlytwenty-five recesses; wherein the fourth base has only one hundredrecesses; wherein a top of the second portion of the first insert hasindicia indicating a monetary value of one cent, wherein the top of thesecond portion of the first insert is opposite the first portion of thefirst insert; wherein a top of the second portion of the second inserthas indicia indicating a monetary value of five cents, wherein the topof the second portion of the second insert is opposite the first portionof the second insert; wherein a top of the second portion of the thirdinsert has indicia indicating a monetary value of ten cents, wherein thetop of the second portion of the third insert is opposite the firstportion of the third insert; and wherein a top of the second portion ofthe fourth insert has indicia indicating a monetary value of twenty-fivecents, wherein the top of the second portion of the fourth insert isopposite the first portion of the fourth insert.
 2. The apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein the plurality of recesses of the fourth base is arrangedin a ten by ten square matrix.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein thetop of the second portion of the second insert has a grid with five. 4.The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the top of the second portion of thesecond insert is covered by a grid of five spaces, wherein the fivespaces of the grid of the second insert are configured to align with andoverlap five consecutive recesses, respectively, of either the firstbase, the second base, the third base, or the fourth base; wherein thetop of the second portion of the first insert is covered by one space,wherein the one space of the first insert is configured to align withand overlap one recess of either the first base, the second base, thethird base, or the fourth base; wherein the top of the second portion ofthe third insert is covered by a grid of ten spaces, wherein the tenspaces of the grid of the third insert are configured to align with andoverlap ten consecutive recesses, respectively, of either the secondbase, the third base, or the fourth base; and wherein the top of thesecond portion of the fourth insert is covered by a grid of twenty-fivespaces, wherein the twenty-five spaces of the grid of the fourth insertare configured to align with and overlap twenty-five recesses,respectively, of either the third base, or the fourth base.
 5. A methodof using an apparatus, wherein the apparatus is comprised of: a firstbase, a second base, a third base, and a fourth base, each having aplurality of recesses being substantially the same size and each havinga different number of recesses from the other; a first insert, a secondinsert, a third insert, and a fourth insert, each having a first portionand a second portion; wherein the first portion of each insert has oneor more protrusions which are configured to be inserted intocorresponding recesses of each of the first, second, third, and fourthbases; wherein the second portion of the first insert is configured tocover one recess of either the first base, the second base, the thirdbase, or the fourth base, when the first portion of the first insert isinserted into one recess of the first base, the second base, the thirdbase or the fourth base; wherein the second portion of the second insertis configured to cover five recesses of either the first base, thesecond base, the third base, or the fourth base, when the first portionof the second insert is inserted into at least one of five recesses ofthe first base, the second base, the third base, or the fourth base;wherein the second portion of the third insert is configured to coverten recesses of either the second base, the third base, or the fourthbase, when the first portion of the third insert is inserted into atleast one of ten recesses of the second base, the third base, or thefourth base; wherein the second portion of the fourth insert isconfigured to cover twenty-five recesses of either the third base, orthe fourth base, when the first portion of the fourth insert is insertedinto at least one of twenty-five recesses of the third base or thefourth base; wherein the first base has only five recesses; wherein thesecond base has only ten recesses; wherein the third base has onlytwenty-five recesses; wherein the fourth base has only one hundredrecesses; wherein a top of the second portion of the first insert hasindicia indicating a monetary value of one cent, wherein the top of thesecond portion of the first insert is opposite the first portion of thefirst insert; wherein a top of the second portion of the second inserthas indicia indicating a monetary value of five cents, wherein the topof the second portion of the second insert is opposite the first portionof the second insert; wherein a top of the second portion of the thirdinsert has indicia indicating a monetary value of ten cents, wherein thetop of the second portion of the third insert is opposite the firstportion of the third insert; and wherein a top of the second portion ofthe fourth insert has indicia indicating a monetary value of twenty-fivecents, wherein the top of the second portion of the fourth insert isopposite the first portion of the fourth insert; the method comprising:inserting at least one of the first portions of the first, second,third, or fourth insert into one of the first, second, third, or fourthbase such that the one or more second portions of the at least oneinserted insert covers a number of recesses of the base equal to themonetary value indicated on the top of the inserted insert.
 6. Themethod of claim 5 further comprising removing the inserted first portionof the first, second, third, or forth insert from the first, second,third, or fourth base, and inserting the removed first portion of thefirst, second, third or fourth insert into a first recess of a differentbase of the first, second, third or fourth base such that the secondportion of the inserted insert covers a number of recesses of the baseequal to the monetary value indicated on the top of the inserted insert.